Logic puzzle

ABSTRACT

A logic puzzle having a shaped game space with edges defining an overall shape, within which are included a plurality of shaped subsets, each having an equal multiplicity of subdivided segments or cells that collectively provide for a preliminary solution set and a final solution set, with the final solution set realized when each of the shaped subsets includes a preliminary solution set and when the preliminary solution set is also formed in a predetermined pattern across multiple shaped subsets.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to a logic puzzle, and more particularly, to a two-dimensional pattern-based logic puzzle.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Generally, prior art in the field of logic puzzles includes number-based solution sets like those of the commercially available SUDOKU (trademark name), whose goal is to fill in each square, vertical and horizontal line with the single digit arabic numbers 1-9. Additionally, the prior art logic puzzles include a pyramid-shaped number puzzle, wherein the solution is realized when the mathematical formula is discovered.

Relevant examples of prior art logic puzzles include the following:

U.S. Pat. No. 4,170,355 for Educational puzzles;

U.S. Pat. No. 6,264,199 for Folding puzzle/transformational toy with 24 linked tetrahedral elements;

U.S. Pat. No. 3,746,345 for Pyramid type amusement and educational device;

U.S. Pat. No. 4,715,605 for Two and three-dimensional number game or puzzle;

U.S. Pat. No. 3,788,645 for Mathematical cube puzzle;

U.S. Pat. No. 1,997,022 for Advertising medium or toy.

While these logic puzzles are known in the prior art, none provide a triangular representation of a pattern-based logic puzzle having a triangular-based solution field; instead, many provide color-block matching solutions.

Thus, there remains a need in the prior art for more intellectually challenging and stimulating 2D logic puzzles having solutions that extend beyond color block based matching solutions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a two-dimensional (2D), shaped logic puzzle in which a final solution set is realized by providing a preliminary solution within each subsection of the 2D shape and along guidelines in a predetermined pattern. The present invention provides a pattern-based logic puzzle having a triangular-based solution field. In a preferred embodiment, the logic puzzle is triangular in shape, having equilateral triangular sides, each with corresponding subdivided segments of equal size that are interconnected within the 2D puzzle. Each subdivided segment on the triangle further includes a graphic design that, together with other segments form the preliminary solution set. In one preferred embodiment, the graphic design is a single digit from 1 to 9, wherein the preliminary solution set is a single series 1 to 9. The objective of this 2D logic puzzle is to fill in a set of subdivided segments such that each of the four triangles of the overall structure include exactly one set of the digits 1 to 9 and to fill the guidance lines of the overall structure with the digits 1 to 9, thereby forming the final solution set. Thus, the 2D logic puzzle of the present invention is solved by realizing a final solution set achieved by filling in the missing graphic designs to provide a preliminary solution set within each triangle of the 2D overall shape and in a predetermined pattern across within the guidelines of the overall 2D shape.

These and other aspects of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art after a reading of the following description of the preferred embodiment when considered with the drawings, as they support the claimed invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a view of a 2D puzzle showing divisions of the puzzle and dashed lines representing the guidance lines in the overall structure, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a view of a 2D puzzle showing an unsolved version of the puzzle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a 2D puzzle showing the solution step of FIG. 2, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a view of a 2D puzzle showing preliminary solution sets in an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views. Also in the following description, it is to be understood that such terms as “forward,” “rearward,” “front,” “back,” “right,” “left,” “upwardly,” “downwardly,” and the like are words of convenience and are not to be construed as limiting terms.

Overall, the present invention provides a two-dimensional (2D), shaped logic puzzle in which a final solution set is realized by providing a preliminary solution within each subsection of the 2D shape and along guidelines in a predetermined pattern. By way of contrast to prior art 2D shaped logic puzzles, the present invention provides a pattern-based logic puzzle having a triangular-based solution field. More particularly, in a preferred embodiment, the logic puzzle is triangular in shape, having equilateral triangular sides, each with corresponding subdivided segments of equal size that are interconnected within the 2D puzzle. Each subdivided segment on the triangle further includes a graphic design that, together with other segments form the preliminary solution set. In one preferred embodiment, the graphic design is a single digit number from 1 to 9, wherein the preliminary solution set is a single series of those numbers 1 to 9. The objective of this 2D logic puzzle is to fill in a set of subdivided segments such that each of the four triangles of the overall structure include exactly one set of the digits 1 to 9 and to fill the guidance lines of the overall structure with the digits 1 to 9, thereby forming the final solution set. The final solution of the 2D logic puzzle of the present invention is provided by realization of a final solution set, specifically achieved by a user completing or filling in missing graphic designs to provide a preliminary solution set within each triangle of the 2D overall shape and in a predetermined pattern across within the guidelines of the overall 2D shape.

The present invention provides a two-dimensional (2D) logic puzzle, wherein a final solution set is provided by forming a preliminary solution set in each of the triangles and across the guidance lines in a predetermined pattern. The preliminary solution set is selected from a series of patterns, such as graphic designs, colors, numbers, letters, symbols, lights, or combinations thereof. Preferably, the preliminary solution set is formed from a series of patterns that is exclusively represented one time within each triangle, thereby forming [four] solution sets for the two-dimensional puzzle. When the preliminary solution is also represented within each triangle and in a predetermined pattern across guidance lines, then a final solution set is realized and the puzzle or game is solved.

In preferred embodiments of the present invention, the overall triangle includes four subdivided segments of equal size and shape, wherein each segment is further divided into nine subdivided segments of equal size and shape that hold a portion of the preliminary solution set.

Referring now to the drawings in general, the illustrations are for the purpose of describing a preferred embodiment of the invention and are not intended to limit the invention thereto.

In a preferred embodiment, the logic puzzle is tetrahedral in shape. The overall triangle is divided into four equilateral triangles wherein the bottom half includes three equally sized triangles, and the top half containing one triangle, preferably of the same size as those in the lower divided section. For each of the smaller triangles there are three layers of triangular cells including a bottom layer with one triangular cell, a middle layer of three triangular cells, and a top layer of five triangular cells. Each layer is parallel to at least a base or a side of a triangle. Each face of a triangular cell in one of the four smaller triangles of the overall triangle are designed to be completed by entering one number per subdivided section or cell with a number 1 to 9.

The numbers may be randomly, but logically, designated on the puzzle from a solution set. The numbers do not need to be given for every cell, and the number presented as the unsolved puzzle set can vary. The objective of this two-dimensional logic puzzle is to fill each of the four smaller triangles of the overall structure with the digits 1 to 9, graphic designs, symbols, lights, or colors, and to fill the guidance lines with the digits 1 to 9, graphic designs, symbols, lights, or colors. The guidance lines define axis around each triangle vertex and may or may not be printed on the puzzle. The logic puzzle is solved by realizing a final solution set achieved by labeling the triangles to provide a preliminary solution set within each smaller triangle and in a predetermined pattern across the guidance lines of the overall 2D triangular shape.

The overall equilateral triangular structure that forms the basis for this puzzle can be best seen in FIG. 1, which illustrates the triangular shape of the present invention. In FIG. 1, the entire puzzle is shown. In one embodiment of the present invention as illustrated with FIG. 1, heavy black lines 10 divide the overall triangle into four different triangles of the two-dimensional logic puzzle 15-18. The dashed guidance lines 11-14, which can be either marked or unmarked on the triangle, pass through the segments that surround each vertex. The puzzle can contain between one and four guidance lines which can be continuous 11-13 or discontinuous 14. Preferably, the subdivided segments 19 within each triangle are equally sized and shaped. Also, preferably, the subdivided segments 19 within each triangle side are small matching shapes of the shape of the triangle 15-18 or a sub-component thereof. By way of example and not limitation, a 2D logic puzzle having a triangular shape includes four equally sized triangles 15-18, which further include subdivided segments 19 that are triangles having the same shape as the larger triangle, but downsized, such that they collectively completely cover and form the triangular surface geography. Also preferably, the subdivided segments of each face side are equally spaced apart by divider lines 20, which are illustrated in the figures.

The 2D logic puzzle of the present invention includes numbered and unnumbered subdivided segments of each segment that must be completed to match a solution set. In the case of the illustration, the objective of the 2D logic puzzle is to realize a preliminary solution set wherein each triangle 15-18 includes only one of each of a series of numbers from 1 to 9. In other words, to solve all the triangles 15-18 within the larger triangle so that each of the four triangles of the overall triangular structure contain the digits 1 to 9.

Importantly, and differentiated from the prior art 2D logic puzzles, the final solution set is not completed merely by providing the solution within each triangle 15-18, but also by realizing the solution set the guidance line 11-14 areas. By way of example in FIGS. 2 and 3, in the triangular 2D logic puzzle set forth hereinabove as an example, this solution map area is realized FIG. 3 by providing a guidance line 11-14 around with the digits 1 to 9 while still retaining each face side surface with the solution set of a single set of digits 1 to 9. FIG. 2 shows an example of a blank puzzle utilizing numbers and FIG. 3 shows the completed solution set for FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 illustrates one embodiment having the preliminary solution sets marked by shaped subset areas A-D and cells marked with single digits 1-9.

More particularly, by contrast to the prior art, the present invention provides for a 2-D logic puzzle formed by a shaped game space having edges defining the overall shape, within which are included a plurality of shaped subsets, each having an equal multiplicity of subdivided segments that form cells that collectively provide for a preliminary solution set and a final solution set, wherein the final solution set is embodied when each of the shaped subsets includes a preliminary solution set and wherein the preliminary solution set is also formed in a predetermined pattern across multiple shaped subsets, thereby providing a logic puzzle game having a complex pattern-based solution, such that the final solution set includes cells being included in one and only one preliminary solution set and cells being included in more than one preliminary solution set. In the design example of the equilateral triangle-shaped subset, each cell is included in a preliminary solution set formed within each of the shaped subsets but only select cells are included in additional solution set formed across multiple shaped subsets, namely the vertices of the triangular subsets. By contrast, the SUDOKU game provides that each cell is included in exactly three and only three solution sets, namely within a section, across a row, and down a column. Thus, the prior art teaches away from the claimed invention in this manner.

Certain modifications and improvements will occur to those skilled in the art upon a reading of the foregoing description. By way of example, the preliminary solution sets may vary across shaped subsets that are sized differently, such as including digits 1-9 in some shaped subsets and including digits 1-12 in others. The above mentioned examples are provided to serve the purpose of clarifying the aspects of the invention and it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that they do not serve to limit the scope of the invention. All modifications and improvements have been deleted herein for the sake of conciseness and readability but are properly within the scope of the following claims. 

1. A logic puzzle comprising a shaped game space having edges defining an overall shape, within which are included a plurality of shaped subsets, each having a multiplicity of subdivided segments that form cells that collectively provide for at least one preliminary solution set and a final solution set, wherein the final solution set is embodied when each of the shaped subsets includes one of the at least one preliminary solution sets and wherein another preliminary solution set is formed in a predetermined pattern across multiple shaped subsets, thereby providing a logic puzzle game having a complex pattern-based solution.
 2. The puzzle of claim 1, wherein the preliminary solution set is formed from a single set of graphics.
 3. The puzzle of claim 1, wherein the preliminary solution set includes a series of numbers.
 4. The puzzle of claim 1, wherein the preliminary solution set includes a series of letters.
 5. The puzzle of claim 1, wherein the preliminary solution set includes a combination of colors and graphic designs.
 6. The puzzle of claim 1, wherein the overall shape is a tetrahedron.
 7. The puzzle of claim 6, wherein each shaped subset is a matching triangle.
 8. The puzzle of claim 6, wherein each shaped subset is an equilateral triangle.
 9. The puzzle of claim 6, wherein the preliminary solution set includes a single digit number on each shaped subset from 1 to
 9. 10. The puzzle of claim 6, wherein the preliminary solution set includes a number, graphic design, symbol, color, or light on each subdivided segment.
 11. The puzzle of claim 1, wherein the final solution set exclusively contains the preliminary solution from each of the shaped subsets and in a predetermined pattern formed across multiple shaped subsets.
 12. The puzzle of claim 1, wherein each of the shaped subsets includes one of the at least one preliminary solution set and the another preliminary solution set is provided across a series of guidance lines that cut across multiple shaped subsets.
 13. The puzzle of claim 1, wherein the final solution set is formed within each of the shaped subsets and at the combination of the vertices of each shaped subset.
 14. The puzzle of claim 1, wherein the final solution set includes cells being included in one and only one preliminary solution set and cells being included in more than one preliminary solution set.
 15. A logic puzzle comprising a shaped game space having edges defining an overall shape, within which are included a plurality of shaped subsets, each having an equal multiplicity of subdivided segments that form cells that collectively provide for a preliminary solution set and a final solution set, wherein the final solution set is embodied when each of the shaped subsets includes a preliminary solution set and wherein the preliminary solution set is also formed in a predetermined pattern across multiple shaped subsets, thereby providing a logic puzzle game having a complex pattern-based solution.
 16. The puzzle of claim 15, wherein the final solution set is formed within each of the shaped subsets and at the combination of the vertices of each shaped subset.
 17. The puzzle of claim 15, wherein the final solution set includes cells being included in one and only one preliminary solution set and cells being included in more than one preliminary solution set.
 18. A logic puzzle comprising a shaped game space having edges defining an overall shape, within which are included a plurality of shaped subsets, each having a multiplicity of subdivided segments that form cells that collectively provide for at least one preliminary solution set and a final solution set, wherein the final solution set is embodied when each of the shaped subsets includes one of the at least one preliminary solution sets and wherein another preliminary solution set is formed in a predetermined pattern across multiple shaped subsets, wherein the final solution set includes cells being included in one and only one preliminary solution set and cells being included in more than one preliminary solution set, thereby providing a logic puzzle game having a complex pattern-based solution. 